Today in history On may 22, 1987 – First Ever Rugby World Cup

 

First ever Rugby World Cup kicks off with New Zealand playing Italy at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand.

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On May 22, 1987, the very first Rugby World Cup officially began at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand, marking a historic milestone in the sport’s history. Organized jointly by New Zealand and Australia, the tournament was the result of years of debate and negotiation among rugby’s traditional powerhouses, many of which had been hesitant to embrace a global championship format. The inaugural match featured hosts New Zealand facing Italy, and it quickly became a statement of dominance by the All Blacks, who crushed the Italians 70–6. The performance set the tone not only for New Zealand’s campaign but also for the emergence of a more dynamic and internationally competitive era of rugby union.

The match at Eden Park was more than just a sporting event—it was a celebration of rugby’s growing global appeal. The opening ceremony blended cultural elements from New Zealand’s indigenous Māori heritage with the pageantry of international sport. Over the course of the tournament, 16 teams competed, including traditional rugby nations like England, France, and South Africa (though the latter was excluded due to apartheid), as well as less-established teams such as Zimbabwe and Japan. The success of the 1987 Rugby World Cup paved the way for rugby’s evolution from an amateur sport to a professional global phenomenon. New Zealand ultimately won the tournament, but more importantly, the event laid the foundation for what has become one of the world’s premier sporting competitions.